The Mountain Ear co-founder dies

Monday

Apr 28, 2008 at 10:33 AMApr 28, 2008 at 10:33 AM

CONWAY, N.H. (AP) — Steve Eastman, co-founder of The Mountain Ear, has died after a lengthy illness.

Eastman, 58, died Friday.

Eastman helped found the weekly newspaper in 1976 and served as its publisher and editor until it was sold in 2005 to the Salmon Press, a chain of weekly papers. Soon after, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

He was the driving force behind the Spring Shampagne Stampedes in the 1980s and 1990s, a series of costumed scavenger hunts to benefit the local hospital. He also promoted the World Mud Bowl, which also benefits local charities.

He leaves his wife Sarah and two children.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. A reception will follow from 12:45-4 p.m. at the Eating House at Cranmore Mountain.